Chapter 174:

The next day, Hazel couldn’t focus at work. Her mind kept drifting to the plan she and Siobhan had set in motion. The hours seemed to crawl by as she counted down the minutes until she could leave the office. Every time someone walked by her desk, she half-expected them to know what she was planning. But no one did. No one could guess the lengths she was willing to go to. Finally, the clock struck four, and Hazel decided it was time to leave. She gathered her things and made her way to Alexander's office to let him know she was heading out early. As she approached his door, she could hear him on the phone, his voice smooth and commanding as he spoke to someone about a deal. For a moment, she hesitated, but then she knocked. Alexander waved her in, still on the phone. She waited patiently, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in her stomach. After a few more minutes, he hung up and looked at her. "Leaving early today, Hazel?" he asked, his tone polite but distant. "Yes, I’ve wrapp